Oxon Hill, Maryland
CNN
The relationship between President Trump and major tech companies has taken a curious turn. This change is especially noticeable among his loyal supporters at this year’s Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) gathering.
At CPAC, any mention of Facebook or its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, triggered boos from the crowd. A speaker labeled Google as “the worst of the worst” among tech giants. Throughout the event, there were advertisements promoting alternatives to well-known platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.
The tech industry has sought to mend its ties with Trump, especially after his return to power. High-profile tech figures like Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, and Sundar Pichai visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate during the transition period. They also made significant financial contributions to Trump’s inauguration, which helped him set records for fundraising. Interestingly, Elon Musk, who now owns X, seems to be in Trump’s good graces, earning cheers for his critiques on government spending during the event.
Musk humorously said, “There’s living the dream, and there’s living the meme,” referring to the way he has become a sort of cultural icon among Trump’s followers.
Despite tech companies’ attempts to win back the support of conservative voters, reactions at CPAC showed there’s still considerable animosity. Many attendees were not quick to forgive past actions by social media platforms, such as deplatforming prominent right-wing figures, including Trump.
Mike Davis, a conservative legal advocate, noted, “Thank you for paying for Trump’s inauguration,” while emphasizing that such contributions would not guarantee favorable treatment from Trump’s new administration.
The tension from the last decade remains palpable. One CPAC attendee declared, “Screw Facebook,” expressing a complete disengagement from the platform. This deep-rooted frustration suggests that even with Trump’s new proximity to tech leaders, significant hurdles remain in rebuilding trust.
The tech industry is not only scrutinized at CPAC. Some Republican lawmakers continue to threaten to revoke legal protections that currently shield tech companies from lawsuits related to user-generated content. Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt emphasized a binary choice for these companies: “You’re either gonna be an open platform or you’re gonna be a publisher who can get sued.”
Within CPAC, members voiced ongoing concerns about traditional tech companies. Criticism extended to financial figures like BlackRock’s Larry Fink and JP Morgan’s Jamie Dimon, even as they maintained good ties with Trump. At a separate event, boos greeted Pfizer’s CEO Albert Bourla, showing that distrust persists even for those who may be considered allies.
Steve Bannon, a significant figure in the MAGA movement, cautioned against putting too much faith in tech leaders. He insists that these executives, who have recently attempted to align with Trump, cannot be fully trusted.
The fallout has created opportunities for conservative tech companies. CPAC organizers encouraged attendees to explore options outside mainstream platforms, promoting companies that oppose progressive values. However, the rise of alternative tech will be challenged by Trump’s renewed embrace of well-established tech firms like X.
For instance, Parler, which faced bans from major tech platforms following its connection to the January 6 Capitol events, is now positioning itself as a blockchain-based social media app. Despite its appeal, many remain cautious about fully abandoning traditional platforms.
“People are not going to fully leave those platforms, but they may be wary,” said Amy Robbins from Parler. This sentiment reflects a broader hesitance among conservatives to trust mainstream tech leaders moving forward.
